Drama -- Yes (1980)

For twenty-two years scientists have been struggling to understand the paradox of why Drama is so damn good. In theory it should suck mightily. The departure of "The Voice" Jon Anderson, and two random new guys who never wanted to do this in the first place. They just wanted to write songs for the band, then were asked to join.

Yet despite these hardships, the newly-assembled five-piece band put out a fine little record. They called this record Drama, and it was good. They had three things going their way for sure. The name YES, courtesy bassman Chris Squire; a kick-ass cover painting, courtesy Roger Dean; and the genius of Steve Howe.

True, the songs were much shorter now, but they still didn't really sound like your typical pop song. Must be the whole Brit thing, I don't know. It was definitely Yes at their most punk/new wave/whatever.

Consider the song Tempus Fugit. It has a driving beat, short choppy guitar, and the line "...die like a dead beaten speed freak." If I was in a punk or ska band, I would make a record called Dead Beaten Speed Freak. It would contain "Tempus Fugit," and maybe punked up versions of other 70s progressive tunes.